High anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among unvaccinated mother-child pairs from a rural setting of north-eastern Tanzania during the second wave of COVID-19.
IJID Reg
; 2022 Nov 28.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2243526
ABSTRACT
Background:
The reported infection rates, and the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in low- and middle-income countries, including sub-Saharan Africa, are relatively low compared to Europe and America, partly due to limited testing capabilities. Unlike many countries, in Tanzania, neither mass screening nor restrictive measures such as lockdowns have been implemented to date. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in rural mainland Tanzania is largely unknown.Methods:
Between April and October 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among mother-child pairs (n=634 children, n=518 mothers) in a rural setting of north-eastern Tanzania.Findings:
We found a very high prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titres with seroprevalence rates ranging from 29% among mothers and 40% among children, with a dynamic peak in seropositivity incidence at the end of July/early in August being revealed. Significant differences in age, socioeconomic status and body composition were associated with seropositivity in mothers and children. No significant associations were observed between seropositivity and comorbidities, including anaemia, diabetes, malaria, and HIV. Interpretations The SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a rural region of Tanzania during 2021 was high, indicating a much higher infection rate in rural Tanzania compared to that reported in the UK and USA during the same period. Ongoing immune surveillance may be vital to monitoring the burden of viral infection in rural settings without access to molecular genotyping where a load of communicable diseases may mask COVID-19. Surveillance could be implemented in tandem with the intensification of vaccination strategies.
A. U, Arbitrary units; BP, blood pressure; COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Tanzania, Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries, rural; FOETALforNCD, Foetal exposure and Epidemiological Transition: the role of Anaemia in early Life for Non-Communicable Diseases in later life; GA, gestational age; Hb, haemoglobin; KDH, Korogwe district hospital; LBW, low birthweight; LMIC, low- and middle-income countries; NCDs, non-communicable diseases; STOPPAM, Strategies TO Prevent Pregnancy Associated Malaria; hs-CRP, high sensitivity C-reactive protein; seroprevalence, COMORBIDITIES, children, Mothers, antibodies, future strategies
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Vaccines
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ijregi.2022.11.011
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